AD 2003-08-07 68 FR 18536 Active

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the main rotor pendulum weight support (pendulum weight support) for file or grinding marks, gouges, and appropriate edge breaks. It also requires, if necessary, reworking and remarking or replacing the pendulum weight support. Regardless, this AD requires a magnetic particle inspection for a crack and replacing the pendulum weight support if a crack is found. This amendment is prompted by a pendulum weight support failure and shedding of the pendulum weight set in flight and a subsequent determination of manufacturing defects on certain serial-numbered pendulum weight supports. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the pendulum weights separating from the pendulum weight support and striking the vertical fin or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.